Mandalas and Meditation

MANDALA OF KALACHAKRA

SUPPORT FOR MEDITATION – THANGKA ART

This Mandala one of the most popular Tibetan Buddhist paintings. Considered a very useful painting by many established practitioners it has become extremely popular in the West. Used by the Dalai Lama in many of his conferences as a support for his initiations, it is usually created by Monks in the form of a Sand Mandala (I will explain this later). It can be considered a simple “diagram” of the basic principles and structures to follow when Meditating.

A TEMPLE IN LHASA – KALACHAKRA

The Mandala of Kalachakra is the aerial view of the Kalachakra Temple, situated in Lhasa and contains 722 Deities, and at its heart on a Lotus flower, a single Buddha : Kalachakra. It is a 5 level structure, each level is represented by a square, and each square is set within the other.

THE LEGEND BEHIND THE THANGKA OF THE KALACHAKRA MANDALA

The Kalachakra Mandala, come with an interesting legend or history depending on how you look at it. Involving the historical Buddha,Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama. Legend has it that King Shuchandra, the king of the mystical Kingdom of Shambala, askedShakyamuni Buddhafor aTantraor teaching that would allow him practiseDharmawithout giving up his wordly enjoyments and responsibilities. Much like what we all desire, a way to keep our comforts and remain faithfull to our beliefs and ideals. Buddha then began teaching this to King Shuchandra, who transcribed his teaching into a 60,000 verses that became known as the Kalachakra Tantra. It is upon this Tantra that the Mandala was created.

THE 3 MAIN KALACHAKRAS

There exists three different Kalachakras, or “bodies” which Buddhist regard as vital to the understanding of life, linking our “being” to the Universe. This very concept that has prompted the Kalachakra Mandala to its current notoriety., offering a simple yet effective way to practicedharmaand more importantly compassion.

1 – External Kalachakra – This can be considered as the basic sciences : Astrology, Astronomy and Mathematics

2 – Internal Kalachakra – The structure of the human body and itsEnergy Systemwhich are known asChakras.

3 – Other Kalachakra – The Study and practise of the Kalachakra which leads us from our ordinary state to the state of Buddha-hood or Enlightenment.

5 LEVEL SUPPORT FOR MEDITATION

Each of the 5 levels, or Mandalas if you will, represents a different “initiation” or support for Meditation. Starting from the outermost Mandala and finishing in the lotus center.

Mandala of the Enlightened Body

Mandala of the Enlightened Speech

Mandala of the Enlightened Mind

Mandala of the Enlightened Wisdom

Mandala of Great Bliss - Lotus Flower center

Each mandala has the same features, 4 doors in the 4 cardinal directions and a perfect symmetry across the diagonals. They are listed in order from the largest to the smallest.

A VISUAL SUPPORT FOR MEDITATION

The purpose of these 5 Mandalas is to create a visual support for Meditation and what is to be achieved, perhaps even how to achieve it. One may wonder how exactly to penetrate into the Mandala, and therefore begin the slow yet steady journey towards Enlightenment. This information is extremely complex and even I could not allow myself to teach anyone the practice of Kalachakra, scholars and monks spend years if not decades, guided by Gurus (teachers) to gain sufficient siddhis(merits) that allow them to pass from one Mandala to the next. Each step taken towards the center is considered and achievement.

THE 6 ELEMENTS OF THE MANDALA IN OUR UNIVERSE

The 6 elements, may seem a strange concept, as science has it that there are only 4 elements : earth, water, fire, air. Buddhism accepts the existence of 2 other elements: space and wisdom. Although this may seem as strange concept, it is through these 2 elements that a Kalachakra adept is able to meditate on the Kalachakra Tantra.

THE THANGKA – A SUPPORT FOR YOUR PRACTICE

This Thangka is only a support for your practise and gazing at it for countless hours without any prior knowledge or initiation by a true master would be equivalent to boiling water without a source of heat.

I do not want to come across as an expert in the field of Kalachakra Meditation, and although I consider myself a Buddhist, I myself have manySiddhisto gain before I would dare calling myself Kalachakra Guru or even adept.

It is safe to say that anyone who believes themselves to be an adept of Buddhism, will have heard of theDalai-Lamaprobably the most veneered teacher of the Kalachakra Tantra.

I strongly invite you to visit the following links to find a more detailed explanation of the Kalachakra Tantra, and perhaps seek out a Guru for your practice:

Yes – this post is very useful as I just received my thangka today and have started meditating with it.

Just a quick question: if I understand correctly, it can be hung on the wall and placed on the floor for this purpose but the directions like North, South, East, West are different depending if it is hanging or on the floor.

Believe the East is symbolized by the dark blue/black section – i.e. the area which would normally be South in the picture above under “The 5 Mandalas of the Kalachakra Mandala” ?

I have a question please- my kalachakra painting has yellow at the top , Blue at the right but it has two black portals- the bottom and the left side on all are in black. There is no red- what does that mean? thanks so much